Author Michael Layland will introduce his new book The Land of Heart's Delight: Early Maps and Charts of Vancouver Island.

Maps move us, ground us, and open a window into the era in which they were produced. With the oldest known maps dating back twenty-five thousand years, it is evident they have long been part of our collective history. But who creates them, and why, is key to understanding how they are meant to be read.

In recognition of BC Archives Week (November 18-24) we share this piece of advertising ephemera from the archives collection.

Gift Shop Update

Christmas will be here before we know it!

If you are looking for some reasonably priced yet unusual stocking stuffers for kids we have lots to choose from like:

Dinosaur Express Train $12.00

Gro Beasts $1.00

Crystal Growing Kit $13.76

Dinosaur Glow in the Dark $1.95

Dinosaur Gliders $0.39

Bucket of Dinosaurs $6.00

Dinosaur Skeleton $3.49

Build a 2 ½ foot T-Rex $22.95

Dinosaur Fossil $8.50

Popcorn Rock $4.60

There are also a ton of other items. Make sure you visit the gift shop for some great Christmas present ideas.

Your Membership Makes A Difference

Purchasing a membership to the Courtenay and District Museum, now in its 52nd year, supports heritage preservation in the Comox Valley through special events, lectures, education programmes, research and exhibitions. Your membership benefits these award winning programmes on a year round basis and we appreciate it!

Becoming a member provides you with discounts in the gift shop and on lectures and an opportunity to support one of the most active regional museums in British Columbia. Thank you for your support.

Mark Saturday, November 30th on your calendar and join us at our annual Christmas Open House from 11 am  4 pm.

The Museum will be decked out with Christmas decorations and we've got some special events planned for guests.

Children's Christmas Crafts: 12 noon to 3:30 pm

Fun presentation about the origin of Christmas traditions: 2 pm

Reading of "The Night Before Christmas": 3:30 pm

Enjoy sweet treats and beverages and keep your fingers crossed to be one of our lucky door prize winners!

Admission will be free to any family that brings a new or used unwrapped toy for Santa's Workshop or a donation for a local food bank.

Kids Christmas Crafts

If you are looking for fun events for the kids come on down to the Museum on Saturday, December 7th or 14th from 11 am  3 pm when there will be an opportunity for children to do some fabulous make and take crafts. Kids can choose to make either a Christmas tree, a stocking or decorate a pine cone to hang on the tree. Admission is by donation.

It's All There in Black and White

The assassination of U.S. President John F. Kennedy was a shocking event. Learn how the Comox Valley responded in this Comox District Free Press article from November 27, 1963.

We will also have hard copy newspapers from that time on exhibit in our gallery for the month of November.

Museum and Heritage Commission Produce Short History of Comox Co-operative Creamery

The museum and the City of Courtenay Heritage Commission have just completed a commemorative 18 page booklet with historic images and ephemera from the Comox Co-operative Creamery. A Short History of Comox Co-operative Creamery. Please see the museum website for more details in the coming weeks.

If you're considering donating to a charity before the end of the year, please consider the Courtenay and District Museum. Your support goes towards education programmes, lectures and collection management. We provide a tax receipt to donors.

The Courtenay and District Historical Society was registered as a nonprofit society in 1961 to preserve and interpret cultural and natural heritage of the Comox Valley. It has functioned as an independent society since that time. Funds are derived from the generous support of the City of Courtenay, British Columbia Arts Council, Comox Valley Regional District, British Columbia Gaming Branch, and from museum generated revenues and donations.